DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Sections 1203 and 1205(b) (14 Del.C. §§1203 & 1205(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 1562

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant to 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)

1562 Teacher of English Learners

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUESTED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF REGULATION

The Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Education ("Department"), seeks the approval of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1562 Teacher of English Learners. The regulation concerns the requirements for a Standard Certificate for Teacher of English Learners. The proposed changes include striking the non-regulatory note; adding subsection 4.1.3 to specify the required examination of content knowledge and passing score for a Standard Certificate for Teacher of English Learners; and striking Section 6.0 as the effective date referenced therein (January 1, 2017) applied to amendments that were published in 2016.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before August 31, 2017 to Mr. Chris Kenton, Executive Director, Delaware Professional Standards Board, The Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, Delaware 19901. A copy of this regulation may be viewed online at the Registrar of Regulation's website, http://regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml or obtained at the Professional Standards Board's Office, located at the address above.

C. IMPACT CRITERIA

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation will help to improve the quality of the Delaware educator workforce and to improve student performance.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation will help to improve the quality of the Delaware educator workforce and to improve student performance.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure all student's health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students' health and safety.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students' legal rights.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision-makers at the local board and school level? The amended regulation does not change authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation does not place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.

7. Will decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The Department implements the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 relating to certification of educators.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies? The amended regulation is consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, and in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the amended regulation? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of this amended regulation.

10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the adopted regulation? There is no expected cost to the state and to the local school boards of complying with this amended regulation.

1562 Teacher of English Learners

Non-regulatory note: Passage on an examination of content knowledge may also be required to obtain this certification. Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220 and 14 DE Admin. Code 1505, an examination of content knowledge is required when applicable and available. An examination of content knowledge is applicable and available when it is required by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department, and with the approval of the State Board of Education. See the Department of Education’s website for additional information.

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Teacher of English Learners. This certification is required for grades K to 12.

1.2 Except as otherwise provided, the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)

12 DE Reg. 341 (09/01/08)

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

2.0 Definitions

2.1 The definitions set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

2.2 The following word and term, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Passing score" means a minimum score as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with the approval of the State Board of Education.

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)

10 DE Reg. 995 (12/01/06)

12 DE Reg. 341 (09/01/08)

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

3.0 Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as Teacher of English Learners to an educator who has met the following:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003; and

3.1.2 Has met the requirements as set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto; and

3.1.3 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)

10 DE Reg. 995 (12/01/06)

12 DE Reg. 341 (09/01/08)

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

4.0 Additional Requirements

4.1 An educator shall also have satisfied each of the following requirements:

4.1.1 Demonstrated oral and written proficiency in English by either:

4.1.1.1 Completion of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university that is located in the United States or in a permanently inhabited territory of the United States; or

4.1.1.2 Achieving a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in English and the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in English; and

4.1.2 Completion of either:

4.1.2.1 A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent in Teaching English Learners from an educator preparation program approved or recognized by National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), or a state where a state approval body employed the appropriate standards; or

4.1.2.2 A minimum of fifteen (15) credits or the equivalent thereof in professional development as approved by the Department in the following content areas:

4.1.2.2.1 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits);

4.1.2.2.2 Second Language Acquisition (3 credits);

4.1.2.2.3 Teaching Literacy for English Learners (3 credits);

4.1.2.2.4 Second Language Testing (3 credits); and

4.1.2.2.5 Structure of the English Language (3 credits).

4.1.3 Achieved on the Praxis Subject Assessment - English to Speakers of Other Languages (ETS Test # 5362) a passing score of 149.

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

5.0 Past Certification Recognized

The Department shall recognize a Standard Certificate English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher issued before January 1, 2017. A teacher holding such a Standard Certificate issued by the Department before January 1, 2017 shall be considered certified as a Teacher of English Learners.

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

6.0 Effective Date

This regulation shall be effective on January 1, 2017.

5 DE Reg. 1904 (04/01/02)

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)

10 DE Reg. 995 (12/01/06)

Renumbered effective 06/01/07 - see Conversion Table

12 DE Reg. 341 (09/01/08)

20 DE Reg. 366 (11/01/16)

21 DE Reg. 121 (08/01/17) (Prop.)